The first step Islam made toward scientific achievement was the translating of works of the Indians, Persians, Byzantines, and Greeks. The translation of the Greek works into Arabic was particularly important for later generations of Europeans. Without these Arabic translations and their later translation into Latin, the works of Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Archimedes, Hippocrates, Galen, Ptolemy, and others would have been lost as part of the Western heritage.
With the aid of the knowledge Islam inherited and translated, Muslim scholars worked to improve humankind’s understanding in many areas, including mathematics, astronomy, optics, engineering, and medicine. In the field of mathematics, Islam gave the modern world Arabic numerals, algebra, and algebraic geometry; it also enriched the fields of geometry and trigonometry. Muslim astronomers improved upon ancient Indian and Greek observations, and gave the world the star names recognized today. The English language is indebted to Islam for many words with scientific origins:
Please feel free to add other Modern English words of Arabic origin.
Alchemy
The medieval predecessor of chemistry
Alcohol
A finely ground cosmetic powder, later a term for any highly refined or distilled substance
Alembic
Literally, “the still”; a vessel used by alchemists—and today’s chemists—for distilling liquids
Algebra
The binding together of disorganized parts
Alkali
Saltwort ashes, used in making lye and soap
Amalgam
The various alloys of mercury, applied to alchemy and to the refining of silver and gold
Azimuth
An arc of horizon used to reckon position
Borax
A white, powdery mineral used since early times in soldering, cleaning, and glass making
The first step Islam made toward scientific achievement was the translating of works of the Indians, Persians, Byzantines, and Greeks. The translation of the Greek works into Arabic was particularly important for later generations of Europeans. Without these Arabic translations and their later translation into Latin, the works of Plato, Aristotle, Euclid, Archimedes, Hippocrates, Galen, Ptolemy, and others would have been lost as part of the Western heritage.
With the aid of the knowledge Islam inherited and translated, Muslim scholars worked to improve humankind’s understanding in many areas, including mathematics, astronomy, optics, engineering, and medicine. In the field of mathematics, Islam gave the modern world Arabic numerals, algebra, and algebraic geometry; it also enriched the fields of geometry and trigonometry. Muslim astronomers improved upon ancient Indian and Greek observations, and gave the world the star names recognized today. The English language is indebted to Islam for many words with scientific origins:
Please feel free to add other Modern English words of Arabic origin.